Image processing apparatus for selecting image formation information using a drag operation on a display

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing device; a display portion capable of detecting a touch of an input object; a storage storing preset-setting groups; a preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller displays icons corresponding to the preset-setting groups; and an image-processing-device controller for controlling the image processing device. When at least two icons are displayed on the display portion such that one icon is displayed in a selected state manner, and a specific icon is displayed in a non-selected state manner, and when the specific icon is touched, the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller moves the specific icon located on a second area to a first area and moves the one icon located on the first area to the second area in a direction in which the specific icon is moved, and displays the specific icon in the selected state manner and display the one icon in the non-selected state manner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.16/004,838 filed on Jun. 11, 2018, continuation application of U.S. Pat.No. 10,019,132 issued on Jul. 10, 2018, which is a divisionalapplication of and claims the benefit of U.S. Pat. No. 9,462,145 issuedon Oct. 4, 2016, which is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. No.8,891,096 B2 issued on Nov. 18, 2014 and claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2011-284365 filed on Dec. 26, 2011. The contentsof each of the above documents are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and anon-transitory storage medium storing a program to be executed by theimage processing apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

There has been known a multifunction peripheral (MFP) provided with atouch panel display and having various functions such as a printingfunction, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimilefunction. When using the function in such an MFP, a user can operate thetouch panel display to change various parameters.

There has been also known a technique for displaying a plurality ofsetting items in the form of icons on a first area within a displayscreen. In this technique, when any of the icons on the first area isselected, the icon selected is displayed on a second area that isdifferent from the first area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the above-described technique has difficulty in effectivelyutilizing a display screen of an image processing apparatus. Thisinvention has been developed to provide a technique capable of utilizinga display screen effectively.

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus,comprising: an image processing device comprising at least one of: animage reading device configured to read an image from a document; and animage forming device configured to form an image on a recording medium;a display portion configured to display thereon at least one image anddetect that a display screen of the display portion is touched by aninput object; a preset-setting-group storage device configured to storea plurality of preset-setting groups each constituted by a set of aplurality of settings relating to an image processing to be executed bythe image processing device, the set of the plurality of settings beingcombined together in advance; a preset-setting-group-selection-screendisplay controller configured to control the display portion to displaya plurality of icons respectively corresponding to the plurality ofpreset-setting groups, such that one icon of the plurality of icons isdisplayed in a selected state manner that indicates a selected state,and at least one icon of the plurality of icons other than the one iconis displayed in a non-selected state manner that indicates anon-selected state and differs from the selected state manner, and suchthat the one icon is displayed on a first area within the displayscreen, and the at least one icon is displayed on a second area withinthe display screen, the second area being located at a positiondifferent from that of the first area; and an image-processing-devicecontroller configured, upon receiving a user operation on a start buttonin a state in which the at least one icon is displayed on the displayportion by the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller,to control the image processing device to execute the image processingaccording to the set of the plurality of settings of one of theplurality of preset-setting groups which corresponds to the one iconbeing displayed in the selected state manner, wherein, when at least twoicons of the plurality of icons are displayed on the display portionsuch that one icon of the at least two icons is displayed in theselected state manner, and a specific icon of the at least two iconswhich is different from the one icon is displayed in the non-selectedstate manner, and when the display portion outputs a signalcorresponding to a touch of the input object on a position correspondingto the specific icon within the display portion, thepreset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller moves thespecific icon located on the second area to the first area and moves theone icon located on the first area to the second area in a direction inwhich the specific icon is moved, and thepreset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller controls thedisplay portion to display the specific icon having been moved to thefirst area in the selected state manner as a new icon and display theone icon having been moved to the second area in the non-selected statemanner.

The present invention also provides an image processing apparatus,comprising: an image processing device comprising at least one of: animage reading device configured to read an image from a document; and animage forming device configured to form an image on a recording medium;a display portion configured to display thereon at least one image anddetect that a display screen of the display portion is touched by aninput object; a preset-setting-group storage device configured to storea plurality of preset-setting groups each constituted by a set of aplurality of settings relating to an image processing to be executed bythe image processing device, the set of the plurality of settings beingcombined together in advance; a preset-setting-group-selection-screendisplay controller configured to control the display portion to displaya plurality of icons respectively corresponding to the plurality ofpreset-setting groups, such that one icon of the plurality of icons isdisplayed in a selected state manner that indicates a selected state,and at least one icon of the plurality of icons other than the one iconis displayed in a non-selected state manner that indicates anon-selected state and differs from the selected state manner, and suchthat the one icon is displayed on a first area within the displayscreen, and the at least one icon is displayed on a second area withinthe display screen, the second area being located at a positiondifferent from that of the first area; and an image-processing-devicecontroller configured, upon receiving a user operation on a start buttonin a state in which the at least one icon is displayed on the displayportion by the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller,to control the image processing device to execute the image processingaccording to the set of the plurality of settings of one of theplurality of preset-setting groups which corresponds to the one iconbeing displayed in the selected state manner, wherein, in a state inwhich at least two icons of the plurality of icons are displayed on thedisplay portion, the display screen has a two-icon display area that isan area where the at least two icons are displayed, and when the displayportion outputs a signal corresponding to a movement of a touch positionof the input object on the two-icon display area in one direction, thepreset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller scrolls the atleast two icons in the one direction on the basis of the movement of thetouch position, and, when the display portion ceases detecting the touchposition, the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controllercontrols the display portion to display (i) one of the at least twoicons which is to be displayed nearest to the first area, on the firstarea as the new icon in the selected state manner and (ii) at least oneicon of the at least two icons other than the new icon in thenon-selected state manner.

The present invention also provides a non-transitory storage mediumstoring a program to be executed by a computer of an image processingapparatus comprising an image processing device comprising at least oneof: an image reading device configured to read an image from a document;and an image forming device configured to form an image on a recordingmedium, the program being designed to cause the computer to function as:a display portion configured to display thereon at least one image anddetect that a display screen of the display portion is touched by aninput object; a preset-setting-group storage device configured to storea plurality of preset-setting groups each constituted by a set of aplurality of settings relating to an image processing to be executed bythe image processing device, the set of the plurality of settings beingcombined together in advance; a preset-setting-group-selection-screendisplay controller configured to control the display portion to displaya plurality of icons respectively corresponding to the plurality ofpreset-setting groups, such that one icon of the plurality of icons isdisplayed in a selected state manner that indicates a selected state,and at least one icon of the plurality of icons other than the one iconis displayed in a non-selected state manner that indicates anon-selected state and differs from the selected state manner, and suchthat the one icon is displayed on a first area within the displayscreen, and the at least one icon is displayed on a second area withinthe display screen, the second area being located at a positiondifferent from that of the first area; and an image-processing-devicecontroller configured, upon receiving a user operation on a start buttonin a state in which the at least one icon is displayed on the displayportion by the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller,to control the image processing device to execute the image processingaccording to the set of the plurality of settings of one of theplurality of preset-setting groups which corresponds to the one iconbeing displayed in the selected state manner, wherein, when at least twoicons of the plurality of icons are displayed on the display portionsuch that one icon of the at least two icons is displayed in theselected state manner, and a specific icon of the at least two iconswhich is different from the one icon is displayed in the non-selectedstate manner, and when the display portion outputs a signalcorresponding to a touch of the input object on a position correspondingto the specific icon within the display portion, thepreset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller moves thespecific icon located on the second area to the first area and moves theone icon located on the first area to the second area in a direction inwhich the specific icon is moved, and thepreset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller controls thedisplay portion to display the specific icon having been moved to thefirst area in the selected state manner as a new icon and display theone icon having been moved to the second area in the non-selected statemanner.

The present invention also provides a non-transitory storage mediumstoring a program to be executed by a computer of an image processingapparatus comprising an image processing device comprising at least oneof: an image reading device configured to read an image from a document;and an image forming device configured to form an image on a recordingmedium, the program being designed to cause the computer to function as:a display portion configured to display thereon at least one image anddetect that a display screen of the display portion is touched by aninput object; a preset-setting-group storage device configured to storea plurality of preset-setting groups each constituted by a set of aplurality of settings relating to an image processing to be executed bythe image processing device, the set of the plurality of settings beingcombined together in advance; a preset-setting-group-selection-screendisplay controller configured to control the display portion to displaya plurality of icons respectively corresponding to the plurality ofpreset-setting groups, such that one icon of the plurality of icons isdisplayed in a selected state manner that indicates a selected state,and at least one icon of the plurality of icons other than the one iconis displayed in a non-selected state manner that indicates anon-selected state and differs from the selected state manner, and suchthat the one icon is displayed on a first area within the displayscreen, and the at least one icon is displayed on a second area withinthe display screen, the second area being located at a positiondifferent from that of the first area; and an image-processing-devicecontroller configured, upon receiving a user operation on a start buttonin a state in which the at least one icon is displayed on the displayportion by the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller,to control the image processing device to execute the image processingaccording to the set of the plurality of settings of one of theplurality of preset-setting groups which corresponds to the one iconbeing displayed in the selected state manner, wherein, in a state inwhich at least two icons of the plurality of icons are displayed on thedisplay portion, the display screen has a two-icon display area that isan area where the at least two icons are displayed, and when the displayportion outputs a signal corresponding to a movement of a touch positionof the input object on the two-icon display area in one direction, thepreset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller scrolls the atleast two icons in the one direction on the basis of the movement of thetouch position, and, when the display portion ceases detecting the touchposition, the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controllercontrols the display portion to display (i) one of the at least twoicons which is to be displayed nearest to the first area, on the firstarea as the new icon in the selected state manner and (ii) at least oneicon of the at least two icons other than the new icon in thenon-selected state manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features, advantages, and technical and industrialsignificance of the present invention will be better understood byreading the following detailed description of the embodiment of theinvention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of an MFP;

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an operation panel unit;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a setting change processing;

FIG. 4 is another flow chart showing the setting change processing;

FIG. 5 is another flow chart showing the setting change processing;

FIG. 6 is another flow chart showing the setting change processing;

FIG. 7 is another flow chart showing the setting change processing;

FIG. 8 is another flow chart showing the setting change processing;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining one example of a screen displayed on aliquid crystal display;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining another example of the screen displayedon the liquid crystal display;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining another example of the screen displayedon the liquid crystal display;

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining another example of the screen displayedon the liquid crystal display;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining one example of preset-setting-groupicons; and

FIGS. 14A-14C are views for explaining how to determine apreset-setting-group icon to be displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, there will be described one embodiment of the presentinvention by reference to the drawings.

<Structure of MFP>

An MFP 1 is an apparatus having various functions such as a printingfunction, a scanning function, a copying function, a facsimile function,and a telephone function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes acontroller 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, anetwork communication unit 14, a telephone communication unit 15, and anoperation panel unit 16.

The controller 11 is constituted mainly by a well-known microcomputerincluding a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, and an NVRAM 44. The CPU 41executes proces sings which will be described below according toprograms stored in the ROM 42 to control components of the MFP 1.

The ROM 42 stores a basic function program for the CPU 41 to controlbasic operations of the MFP 1. The ROM 42 stores various icon images tobe displayed on a liquid crystal display 16A. The ROM 42 stores names ofthe respective icons (i.e., icon names). Each icon name as a particularimage is a character string to be displayed near the corresponding icon.

The NVRAM 44 stores a plurality of preset-setting groups. Each of thepreset-setting groups is constituted by a set of a plurality of settingsrelating to an image processing to be executed by the MFP 1, and the setof the plurality of settings are combined together in advance. FIG. 13shows one example of preset-setting-group icons B41-B47 respectivelycorresponding to the preset-setting groups. FIG. 13 also shows oneexample of icon names C1-C7 respectively corresponding to thepreset-setting-group icons B41-B47.

The preset-setting-group icon B41 corresponds to a preset setting grouprelating to “Book Copy”. The preset-setting-group icon B42 correspondsto a preset setting group relating to “Reduced Copy”. Thepreset-setting-group icon B43 corresponds to a preset setting grouprelating to “Enlarged Copy”. The preset-setting-group icon B44corresponds to a preset setting group relating to “Normal Copy”. Thepreset-setting-group icon B45 corresponds to a preset setting grouprelating to “Duplex Copy”. The preset-setting-group icon B46 correspondsto a preset setting group relating to “A3 Copy”. Thepreset-setting-group icon B47 corresponds to a preset setting grouprelating to “Photo Copy”. When any of the preset-setting-group iconsB41-B47 is selected, the MFP 1 reads set values of the preset-settinggroup corresponding to the selected preset-setting-group icon, andstores or writes them into the RAM 43, and the CPU 41 controls the imageprocessing according to the stored set values.

As shown in FIG. 13, the preset-setting-group icons B41-B47 have arelationship in which these icons are cyclically arranged in a row.Sequential icon numbers “1”-“7” are respectively assigned to thepreset-setting-group icons B41-B47. The preset-setting-group icon B41 isa first icon having the icon number “1”. The preset-setting-group iconB47 is the last icon having the icon number “7”. To each of thepreset-setting-group icons B41-B47 is assigned an apparatus state orstates of the MFP 1 which cannot cause the icon to be changed to theselected state. For example, the preset-setting-group icon B46 for thesetting group of the “A3 Copy” cannot be changed to the selected statewhen no A3 sheets are set in the MFP 1. Likewise, thepreset-setting-group icon B47 for the setting group of the “Photo Copy”cannot be changed to the selected state when no ink is stored in any oneof ink cartridges set in the MFP 1 for respective colors. The ROM 42stores such relationships between the preset-setting-group icons and theapparatus states of the MFP 1.

The NVRAM 44 stores various parameters. Examples of the parametersinclude a first moving speed and a second moving speed. The first movingspeed is used for the CPU 41 to determine whether an operation performedby a user on a touch panel portion 16C is a flick operation or a dragoperation. The second moving speed is used for the CPU 41 to determine ascroll distance. These parameters may be stored in advance by the user.

The RAM 43 is a transitory memory that is a storage area for storingvarious data created when the CPU 41 executes various processingsaccording to the basic function program. One example of the data storedin the RAM 43 is the preset-setting-group icon being in the selectedstate. The preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state is oneof the preset-setting-group icons which is in the selected state.

The image reading unit 12 includes an image sensor and an automaticdocument feeder (ADF). The image reading unit 12 uses the image sensorto read an image of a document conveyed by the ADF or placed on a platenglass of a flatbed to create image data representative of the image.

The image forming unit 13 is constituted by an image forming device ofan ink-jet type or an electronic photographic type. The image formingunit 13 records an image on a recording medium in the form of arecording sheet. The image forming unit 13 includes a sheet-sizedetection sensor 13A and an ink amount sensor 13B. The sheet-sizedetection sensor 13A detects a size of the recording medium set in theMFP 1, e.g., the A4 size. The ink amount sensor 13B detects a remainingamount of the ink for each ink cartridge mounted in the MFP 1.

The network communication unit 14 includes a network interface card(NIS). The telephone communication unit 15 is constituted by a modem andother communication components and used to perform communication via atelephone line, not shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 16 includes the liquidcrystal display 16A, an internally illuminated display 16B, and thetouch panel portion 16C. The liquid crystal display 16A includes an LCDmodule capable of displaying images in full color. Contents displayed onthe liquid crystal display 16A include: images such as various icons anduser operation buttons; and texts representing various information.These contents are dynamically displayed depending upon the status ofthe MFP 1 and the operation of the user.

The internally illuminated display 16B displays thereon imagesrepresentative of a numeric keypad and some user operation buttons. Thisinternally illuminated display 16B has a front panel which is providedwith light transmitting portions associated in position with therespective images. Light emitting elements are provided on the back ofthe respective light transmitting portions, and when these lightemitting elements emit lights, the images are lit in their respectivepredetermined colors. It is noted that a display surface of the liquidcrystal display 16A is flush with that of the internally illuminateddisplay 16B.

The touch panel portion 16C is a transparent film-like input device thatcan detect a touch operation or action of an input object such as afinger and a stylus. This touch panel portion 16C is of a well-knowntype such as an electrostatic capacitance type and superposed on thedisplay surfaces of the liquid crystal display 16A and the internallyilluminated display 16B. In the present embodiment, when the touchoperation is detected by the touch panel portion 16C, an output signalindicative of a touch position or positions is supplied from the touchpanel portion 16C to the controller 11. The controller 11 based on theoutput signal determines a type of the detected touch operation. Typesof the touch operation include: a slide operation such as the dragoperation and the flick operation; a tapping operation such as a singletapping operation and a double tapping operation; and a pinchingoperation. The controller 11 also determines whether or not the locationof the touch operation is within an area overlaying the display surfaceof the liquid crystal display 16A and whether or not the locationoverlaps any of the images displayed on the internally illuminateddisplay 16B. The controller 11 executes a processing corresponding tothe type and location of the touch operation.

<Examples of Displayed Screen>

FIGS. 9-12 show examples of screens displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 16A. FIG. 9 shows one example of a “Home” screen P1. The “Home”screen P1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16A when the MFP 1is in a standby state. The “Home” screen P1 has a main area 21A and aleft area 21B. The left area 21B contains a “Fax” icon B11, a “Copy”icon B12, and a “Scan” icon B13. These icons respectively correspond tothe functions of the MFP 1.

When the touch operation is performed by the user on any of the “Fax”icon B11, the “Copy” icon B12, and the “Scan” icon B13, the controller11 controls the liquid crystal display 16A to display thereon a screenthat represents a top page corresponding to the selected function.

FIG. 10 shows one example of a preset-setting-group selection screen P2.The preset-setting-group selection screen P2 is displayed on the liquidcrystal display 16A when the “Copy” icon B12 on the “Home” screen P1 istouched. In this preset-setting-group selection screen P2, a displayregion of the liquid crystal display 16A is divided into three areas25A, 25B, and 25C. Various information is displayed on the upper area25A. Displayed on the middle area 25B are the preset-setting-groupicons, a left scroll button B71, and a right scroll button B72.Displayed on the lower area 25C are a “Copy Start” button B61 and a“Detailed Settings” button B63.

The area 25B includes a central area L1 as one example of a first area,and a left neighborhood (nearby area) L2 and a right neighborhood(nearby area) L3 each as one example of a second area. The leftneighborhood L2 is located on a left side of the central area L1, andthe right neighborhood L3 is located on a right side of the central areaL1. Displayed on the central area L1 is the preset-setting-group iconbeing in the selected state. Displayed on each of the right neighborhoodL3 and the left neighborhood L2 is a preset-setting-group icon being ina non-selected state. In the example in FIG. 10, thepreset-setting-group icon B44 is displayed on the central area L1. On anupper side of the preset-setting-group icon B44 is displayed the iconname C4 “Normal Copy” stored in the ROM 42. The preset-setting-groupicon B43 is displayed on the left neighborhood L2, and thepreset-setting-group icon B45 is displayed on the right neighborhood L3.

A background color of the preset-setting-group icon displayed on each ofthe right neighborhood L3 and the left neighborhood L2 is a normal color(black in the present embodiment). On the other hand, a background colorof the preset-setting-group icon displayed on the central area L1 is aspecific color (blue in the present embodiment) that differs from thenormal color (black). Also, the icon name C4 is displayed above thepreset-setting-group icon B44 displayed on the central area L1. As aresult, a focus indicating the selected state is applied to thepreset-setting-group icon B44 displayed on the central area L1.

FIG. 11 shows a preset-setting-group selection screen P2 a. Thepreset-setting-group selection screen P2 a is one example of a screendisplayed upon scrolling on the area 25B of the preset-setting-groupselection screen P2 in FIG. 10. On the preset-setting-group selectionscreen P2 a in FIG. 11, the preset-setting-group icon B45 is displayedon the central area L1. The icon name C5 “Duplex Copy (One Side)” isdisplayed above the preset-setting-group icon B45. Thepreset-setting-group icon B44 is displayed on the left neighborhood L2.The preset-setting-group icon B46 is displayed on the right neighborhoodL3.

FIG. 12 shows one example of a “Detailed Settings” screen P3. The“Detailed Settings” screen P3 is displayed on the liquid crystal display16A when the user touches the “Detailed Settings” button B63 displayedon the preset-setting-group selection screen P2 in FIG. 10 or thepreset-setting-group selection screen P2 a in FIG. 11. The “DetailedSettings” screen P3 has three areas 27A, 27B, and 27C. Displayed on theright area 27C are the preset-setting-group icon being in the selectedstate and an “OK” button B65. A scrollbar is displayed on the centralarea 27B. Displayed on the left area 27A are a plurality of settingitems and their respective set values. The setting items displayed onthis area 27A correspond to the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state and displayed on the area 27C. The area 27A is scrolledin an up and down direction (i.e., directions indicated by arrows A3 andA4 in FIG. 12) in response to the operation of the user. This scrollingallows the user to view setting items outside the display region of theliquid crystal display 16A.

In the example in FIG. 12, the preset-setting-group icon B44 being inthe selected state and its icon name “Normal Copy” are displayed on thearea 27C. Also, the plurality of setting items such as “Paper Type”relating to the processing (i.e., the “Normal Copy”) corresponding tothe preset-setting-group icon B44 being in the selected state are readfrom the NVRAM 44 and displayed on the area 27A.

<Setting Change Processing>

There will be next explained, with reference to FIGS. 3-8, processingsexecuted by the controller 11 to accomplish a setting change processingaccompanied by screen transitions.

At S410, the controller 11 displays the “Home” screen P1 on the liquidcrystal display 16A. The controller 11 then determines whether the userhas touched any one of the “Fax” icon B11, the “Copy” icon B12, and the“Scan” icon B13. Here is explained one specific example of how toexecute the determination with reference to the “Home” screen P1 in FIG.9. Each of the “Fax” icon B11, the “Copy” icon B12, and the “Scan” iconB13 has a display area, and coordinates indicating this display area arestored in the ROM 42 in advance. The controller 11 uses the basicfunction program to obtain the touch position on the touch panel portion16C. When the touch position thus obtained is located on the coordinatesindicating the display area of any of the “Fax” icon B11, the “Copy”icon B12, and the “Scan” icon B13, the controller 11 determines that theuser has touched the icon on which the touch position is located. Whenit is determined that the touch input has not been performed on any icon(S410: NO), the flow repeats S410, and when it is determined that thetouch input has been performed on any icon (S410: YES), the flow goes toS411.

Processings to be executed in the case where the user has touched the“Copy” icon B12 displayed on the “Home” screen P1 in FIG. 9 will bedescribed hereinafter as one example. It is noted that processings to beexecuted when the “Fax” icon B11 or the “Scan” icon B13 is touched aresimilar to those to be executed when the “Copy” icon B12 is touched, andan explanation of which is dispensed with.

At S411, the controller 11 stores information indicating a defaultpreset-setting-group icon, e.g., an icon ID, into the RAM 43 asinformation indicating the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state. In the example in the present embodiment, it is assumedthat the preset-setting-group icon B44 corresponding to the “NormalCopy” is set as the default preset-setting-group icon. The defaultpreset-setting-group icon may be determined by the user or amanufacturer of the MFP 1.

At S412, the controller 11 reads the images of the preset-setting-groupicons B41-B47 shown in FIG. 13 from the ROM 42. At S414, the controller11 reads the icon names C1-C7 corresponding to the respectivepreset-setting-group icons from the ROM 42 and stores the read iconnames into the RAM 43.

At S416, the controller 11 displays the preset-setting-group icon beingin the selected state on the central area L1. The controller 11 alsodisplays a preset-setting-group icon having the icon number precedingthat of the preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state, onthe left neighborhood L2 located on the left side of the central areaL1. The controller 11 also displays a preset-setting-group icon havingthe icon number following that of the preset-setting-group icon being inthe selected state, on the right neighborhood L3 located on the rightside of the central area L1. As a result, the preset-setting-group iconbeing in the selected state and displayed on the central area L1 and thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the left neighborhood L2 and theright neighborhood L3 are arranged in a row.

In the example in FIG. 10, the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state and displayed on the central area L1, i.e., thepreset-setting-group icon B44, the preset-setting-group icon B43displayed on the left neighborhood L2, and the preset-setting-group iconB45 displayed on the right neighborhood L3 are arranged in a row.

At S430, the controller 11 changes the background color of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1 to the specific color (blue). At S432, thecontroller 11 displays the icon name corresponding to thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state, above thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state. Since thebackground color is the specific color, the user can recognize that thepreset-setting-group icon displayed on the central area L1 is in theselected state. Also, since the icon name is displayed above thepreset-setting-group icon, the user can recognize that thepreset-setting-group icon displayed on the central area L1 is in theselected state. Also, since the background color of each of thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the left neighborhood L2 and theright neighborhood L3 is not the specific color, the user can recognizethat these icons are displayed in a non-selected state manner. Thenon-selected state manner is a display manner which differs from theselected state manner and indicates the non-selected state.

In the example in FIG. 10, the background color of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1, i.e., the background color of thepreset-setting-group icon B44 is changed to the specific color (blue).Also, the icon name C4 “Normal Copy” is displayed above thepreset-setting-group icon B44.

At S448 in FIG. 4, the controller 11 determines whether the user hastouched the preset-setting-group icon displayed on the left neighborhoodL2 or the right neighborhood L3. When it is determined that thepreset-setting-group icon displayed on the left neighborhood L2 or theright neighborhood L3 has been touched (S448: YES), the flow goes toS450.

At S450, the controller 11 finishes the selected state manner of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1. Specifically, the controller 11 changes thebackground color of the preset-setting-group icon being in the selectedstate and displayed on the central area L1 to the normal color (black).Also, the controller 11 removes the icon name. As a result, the displayin the selected state manner is finished for the preset-setting-groupicon being in the selected state and displayed on the central area L1.

At S454, the controller 11 moves the touched preset-setting-group iconlocated on the left neighborhood L2 (or the right neighborhood L3) tothe central area L1. At the same time, the controller 11 moves thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1, in a direction coinciding with a direction ofmovement of the touched preset-setting-group icon, to the rightneighborhood L3 (or the left neighborhood L2). At the same time, thecontroller 11 moves another preset-setting-group icon into the leftneighborhood L2 (or the right neighborhood L3) from an outside of theliquid crystal display 16A on the frame-by-frame basis such that thepreset-setting-group icon gradually appears on the left neighborhood L2(or the right neighborhood L3). In view of the above, the controller 11at S454 executes a processing for scrolling the row of thepreset-setting-group icons such that the touched preset-setting-groupicon is moved to the central area L1.

At S456, the controller 11 stores information indicating thepreset-setting-group icon touched at S448, into the RAM 43 as newinformation indicating the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state, and the controller 11 displays the preset-setting-groupicon touched at S448 in the selected state manner. Specifically, thecontroller 11 changes the background color to the specific color (blue)and displays the icon name. Also, the controller 11 displays thepreset-setting-group icon displayed on the left neighborhood L2 or theright neighborhood L3, in the non-selected state manner. Specifically,the controller 11 keeps the background color in the normal color (black)and does not display the icon name.

There will be next explained one example of the processings atS448-S456, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Specifically, there willbe explained processings in the case where the user has touched thepreset-setting-group icon B45 displayed on the right neighborhood L3 inFIG. 10. The controller 11 at S450 finishes the selected state manner ofthe preset-setting-group icon B44 being in the selected state anddisplayed on the central area L1. The controller 11 moves the touchedpreset-setting-group icon B45 located on the right neighborhood L3, tothe central area L1. At the same time, the controller 11 moves thepreset-setting-group icon B44 being in the selected state and displayedon the central area L1, in the direction coinciding with the directionof the movement of the preset-setting-group icon B45, i.e., in the leftdirection, such that the icon B44 moves to the left neighborhood L2.Also, the controller 11 newly displays the preset-setting-group icon B46on the right neighborhood L3. In view of the above, the controller 11 atS454 executes a processing for scrolling the row of thepreset-setting-group icons such that the touched preset-setting-groupicon B45 is moved to the central area L1. The controller 11 then storesinformation indicating the selected preset-setting-group icon B45, intothe RAM 43 as the information indicating the preset-setting-group iconbeing in the selected state. The controller 11 at S456 displays thepreset-setting-group icon B45 in the selected state manner. As a result,the display screen in FIG. 10 is switched to the display screen in FIG.11.

On the other hand, when it is determined at S448 that thepreset-setting-group icon displayed on the left neighborhood L2 or theright neighborhood L3 has not been touched (S448: NO), the flow goes toS458 in FIG. 5. At S458, the controller 11 determines whether a right orleft flick operation has been input on the area 25B or not. The right orleft flick operation is an operation of the user to flick the inputobject rightward or leftward on the liquid crystal display 16A. Here isexplained one example of how to determine whether the user has performedthe flick operation or not. The controller 11 uses the touch panelportion 16C to detect the touch position at fixed intervals, e.g., everyseveral tens milliseconds. When the touch panel portion 16C ceasesdetecting the touch position after the detection of the movement of thetouch position, i.e., the slide operation, within the area 25B, thecontroller 11 calculates a moving speed of the touch position. Themoving speed of the touch position is calculated based on a detectingperiod and a distance between two touch positions most recently detectedbefore the touch panel portion 16C ceases detecting the touch position.When the calculated moving speed of the touch position is greater thanthe predetermined first moving speed, the controller 11 determines thatthe user has input the flick operation (S458: YES), and the flow goes toS460.

At S460, the controller 11 finishes the selected state manner of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1. It is noted that the processing at S460 is similarto the processing at S450, and an explanation of which is dispensedwith.

At S466, the controller 11 determines whether the direction of themovement of the touch position is the right direction within the area25B or not. When it is determined that the direction of the movement ofthe touch position is the right direction (S466: YES), the controller 11determines that the right flick operation has been received, and theflow goes to S468. At S468, the controller 11 scrolls thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B in the rightdirection. In the example in FIG. 10, the row of thepreset-setting-group icons is scrolled such that the threepreset-setting-group icons B43-B45 being displayed are moved rightwardso as to gradually disappear from the liquid crystal display 16A andsuch that the icons such as the preset-setting-group icons B42, B41gradually appear from the left side of the liquid crystal display 16A.It is noted that the preset-setting-group icons are started to move atan initial moving speed related to the moving speed of the touchposition.

When it is determined at S466 that the direction of the movement of thetouch position is the left direction (S466: YES), the controller 11determines that the left flick operation has been received, and the flowgoes to S470. At S470, the controller 11 scrolls thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B in the leftdirection. It is noted that the preset-setting-group icons are startedto move at the initial moving speed related to the moving speed of thetouch position.

At S472, the controller 11 determines a preset-setting-group icon to bedisplayed, which is a preset-setting-group icon to be displayed newly onthe central area L1. Here is explained one example of how to determinethe preset-setting-group icon to be displayed. The controller 11determines the scroll distance. Specifically, the controller 11 uses avelocity decay function to decrease the initial moving speed calculatedat S466, with the passage of time. The controller 11 then determines, asthe scroll distance, a distance of the movement of the icons at a pointin time when the moving speed of the icon becomes lower than thepredetermined second moving speed. The controller 11 moves the row ofthe preset-setting-group icons B41-B47 (shown in FIG. 13) by the scrolldistance in a scroll direction in which the icons are scrolled. Thecontroller 11 then extracts preset-setting-group icons whose centerlines have not moved past a center line of the central area L1 in thescroll direction, among the moved preset-setting-group icons B41-B47.The controller 11 then determines, as the preset-setting-group icon tobe displayed, a preset-setting-group icon that is located nearest to thecentral area L1 among the extracted preset-setting-group icons.

Here is explained, with reference to FIG. 14, one specific example ofhow to determine the preset-setting-group icon to be displayed. FIG. 14Ashows the area 25B before the scrolling, and FIG. 14B shows the area 25Bafter the scrolling in the left direction. In FIG. 14B, thepreset-setting-group icons have been moved leftward by a scroll distanceD1 with respect to the preset-setting-group icons in FIG. 14A. In FIG.14B, since a center line BM1 of the preset-setting-group icon B45 hasbeen moved past a center line LM1 of the central area L1 in the scrolldirection, i.e., the left direction, the preset-setting-group icon B45is not selected as the preset-setting-group icon to be displayed. On theother hand, a center line BM2 of the preset-setting-group icon B46 hasnot been moved past the center line LM1 of the central area L1 in thescroll direction, i.e., the left direction. In addition, thepreset-setting-group icon B46 is located nearest to the central area L1among the preset-setting-group icons located on a right side of thecenter line LM1. Thus, the preset-setting-group icon B46 is selected asthe preset-setting-group icon to be displayed.

At S474, the controller 11 determines whether or not thepreset-setting-group icon determined at S472 as the preset-setting-groupicon to be displayed is a preset-setting-group icon allowed to bedisplayed. Specifically, the controller 11 uses various sensors (e.g.,the sheet-size detection sensor 13A and the ink amount sensor 13B) todetect a state of the MFP 1 as an apparatus state of the MFP 1, and thenthe controller 11 determines whether or not the preset-setting-groupicon selected as the preset-setting-group icon to be displayed isallowed to be changed to the selected state in the detected apparatusstate.

When it is determined that the preset-setting-group icon determined atS472 is not the preset-setting-group icon allowed to be changed to theselected state (S474: NO), the flow goes to S476 at which the controller11 newly determines, as the preset-setting-group icon to be displayed, apreset-setting-group icon following, in the scroll number, thepreset-setting-group icon currently selected as the preset-setting-groupicon to be displayed. It is noted that the preset-setting-group iconfollowing the preset-setting-group icon currently selected as thepreset-setting-group icon to be displayed is an icon just after thepreset-setting-group icon currently selected as the preset-setting-groupicon to be displayed, in the scroll order. Upon completion of S476, theflow returns to S474.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the preset-setting-groupicon determined at S472 is the preset-setting-group icon allowed to bechanged to the selected state (S474: YES), the flow goes to S478 atwhich the controller 11 displays the preset-setting-group icon to bedisplayed, on the central area L1 as the preset-setting-group icon beingin the selected state. At S480, the controller 11 changes the displaymanner of the preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state anddisplayed on the central area L1, to the selected state manner.

Here is explained, with reference to FIGS. 14B and 14C, one specificexample of how to determine whether or not the preset-setting-group iconto be displayed is the preset-setting-group icon allowed to be changedto the selected state. In this example, it is assumed that no A3 sheetsare set in the MFP 1, and the preset-setting-group icon B46 whose iconname is the “A3 Copy” is a candidate for the preset-setting-group iconto be displayed after the scrolling. The controller 11 at S474 uses thesheet-size detection sensor 13A to detect that the MFP 1 is in theapparatus state in which no A3 sheets are set in the MFP 1. Since theMFP 1 is in the apparatus state in which no A3 sheets are set in the MFP1, the controller 11 determines that the preset-setting-group icon B46whose icon name is the “A3 Copy” as the candidate for thepreset-setting-group icon to be displayed is an icon not allowed to bechanged to the selected state (S474: NO). The controller 11 at S476newly selects, as the candidate for the preset-setting-group icon to bedisplayed, the preset-setting-group icon B47 whose icon name is the“Photo Copy” following the preset-setting-group icon B46 in the scrollnumber. The preset-setting-group icon B47 is allowed to be changed tothe selected state even where the MFP 1 is in the apparatus state inwhich no A3 sheets are set (S474: YES). Thus, the controller 11determines the preset-setting-group icon B47 as the preset-setting-groupicon to be displayed and displays the preset-setting-group icon B47 onthe central area L1 in the selected state manner (at S478 and S480). Asa result, the screen displayed on the area 25B is switched from thescreen shown in FIG. 14B to the screen shown in FIG. 14C.

On the other hand, when it is determined at S458 that the right or leftflick operation has not been input on the area 25B (S458: NO), the flowgoes to S488 in FIG. 6. At S488, the controller 11 determines whether ornot the user has touched the left scroll button B71 or the right scrollbutton B72. When it is determined that the user has touched the buttonB71 or B72 (S488: YES), the flow goes to S490.

At S490, the controller 11 finishes the selected state manner of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1. At S492, the controller 11 determines whether theuser has touched the right scroll button B72 or not. When it isdetermined that the right scroll button B72 has been touched (S492:YES), the flow goes to S494. At S494, the controller 11 scrolls thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B in the rightdirection by a distance equivalent to one icon. On the other hand, whenit is determined at S492 that the left scroll button B71 has beentouched (S492: NO), the flow goes to S496. At S496, the controller 11scrolls the preset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B in theleft direction by the distance equivalent to one icon. At S500, thecontroller 11 stores information indicating the preset-setting-groupicon newly displayed on the central area L1, into the RAM 43 as newinformation indicating the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state, and the controller 11 displays this preset-setting-groupicon in the selected state manner. Upon completion of S500, the flowreturns to S448 in FIG. 4.

On the other hand, when it is determined at S488 that the user has nottouched the left scroll button B71 or the right scroll button B72 (S488:NO), the flow goes to S508 in FIG. 7. At S508, the controller 11determines whether a right or left drag operation has been input on thearea 25B or not. Here is explained one example of how to determinewhether the drag operation has been input or not. The controller 11calculates the moving speed of the touch position using the same methodas explained at S458. When the calculated moving speed of the touchposition is less than the predefined first moving speed, the controller11 determines that the drag operation has been input (S508: YES), andthe flow goes to S509.

At S509, the controller 11 finishes the selected state manner of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayed onthe central area L1. At S510, the controller 11 scrolls thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B in the right orleft direction according to a distance of the movement of the touchposition. At S511, the controller 11 determines whether the touch panelportion 16C has ceased detecting the touch position or not. When it isdetermined that the touch panel portion 16C is detecting the touchposition (S511: NO), the flow repeats S511. When it is determined thatthe touch panel portion 16C has ceased detecting the touch position(S511: YES), the flow goes to S512.

At S512, the controller 11 determines a preset-setting-group icon to bedisplayed, which is a preset-setting-group icon to be displayed newly onthe central area L1. Here is explained one example of how to determinethe preset-setting-group icon to be displayed. The controller 11extracts preset-setting-group icons whose center lines have not movedpast the center line of the central area L1 in the scroll direction,among the preset-setting-group icons B41-B47 moved in the scrollprocessing at S510. The controller 11 then determines, as thepreset-setting-group icon to be displayed, a preset-setting-group iconthat is located nearest to the central area L1 among the extractedpreset-setting-group icons.

Processings at S514-S520 are respectively similar to the above-describedprocessings at S474-S480, and an explanation of which is dispensed with.

On the other hand, when it is determined at S508 that the right or leftdrag operation has not been input on the area 25B (S508: NO), the flowgoes to S528. At S528, the controller 11 determines whether the “CopyStart” button B61 has been touched or not. When it is determined thatthe “Copy Start” button B61 has been touched (S528: YES), the flow goesto S530. At S530, the controller 11 reads set values corresponding tothe preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and displayedon the central area L1, from the NVRAM 44 and stores the set values intothe RAM 43. At S532, the controller 11 controls the image forming unit13 to execute a copying processing according to the set values stored inthe RAM 43.

On the other hand, when it is determined at S528 that the “Copy Start”button B61 has not been touched (S528: NO), the flow goes to S538 inFIG. 8. At S538, the controller 11 determines whether the “DetailedSettings” button B63 has been touched or not. When it is determined thatthe “Detailed Settings” button B63 has been touched (S538: YES), theflow goes to S540.

At S540, the controller 11 reads the setting items and their respectiveset values corresponding to the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state and displayed on the central area L1, from the NVRAM 44and stores them into the RAM 43. At S544, the controller 11 finishes theselected state manner of the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state and displayed on the central area L1. At S546, thecontroller 11 removes the preset-setting-group icons displayed on theleft neighborhood L2 and the right neighborhood L3. At S548, thecontroller 11 moves the preset-setting-group icon being in the selectedstate and displayed on the central area L1, to a retracted position L4located at a right portion of the liquid crystal display 16A. Theretracted position L4 as one example of a third area is a positionlocated near an outer periphery of the display screen of the liquidcrystal display 16A.

At S550, the controller 11 displays, as a specific image, a list of thesetting items and their respective set values read at S540, on an areacreated by the movement of the preset-setting-group icon at S548. AtS552, the controller 11 determines whether or not the user has performeda changing operation for changing the setting item. One example of thechanging operation for changing the setting item includes an operationof the user to touch or drag any of the displayed setting items tochange a corresponding set value. When it is determined that the userhas not performed a changing operation for changing the setting item(S552: NO), the flow returns to S412 in FIG. 3. When it is determinedthat the user has performed a changing operation for changing thesetting item (S552: YES), the flow goes to S554. At S554, the controller11 determines whether the “OK” button B65 shown in FIG. 12 has beentouched or not. When it is determined that the “OK” button B65 has notbeen touched (S554: NO), the flow returns to S552. When it is determinedthat the “OK” button B65 has been touched (S554: YES), the flow goes toS556. At S556, the controller 11 controls the image forming unit 13 toexecute the copying processing according to the set values changed atS552.

Here is explained one example of the processings at S540-S556 withreference to FIGS. 10 and 12. In this explanation, it is assumed thatthe “Detailed Settings” button B63 has been touched on the screen shownin FIG. 10. The controller 11 at S540 reads the setting items and theirrespective set values corresponding to the preset-setting-group icon B44(“Normal Copy”) being in the selected state and displayed on the centralarea L1, from the NVRAM 44 and stores them into the RAM 43. Thecontroller 11 at S544 finishes the selected state manner of thepreset-setting-group icon B44 being in the selected state and displayedon the central area L1. The controller 11 at S546 removes thepreset-setting-group icons B43 and B45 displayed on the leftneighborhood L2 and the right neighborhood L3. The controller 11 at S548moves the preset-setting-group icon B44 being in the selected state anddisplayed on the central area L1, to the retracted position L4 locatedon the right portion of the liquid crystal display 16A in FIG. 12. Thecontroller 11 at S550 displays a list of the setting items and theirrespective set values relating to the “Normal Copy”, on the area 27Acreated by the movement of the preset-setting-group icon B44. Thecontroller 11 at S552 determines whether the changing operation has beenperformed on any of the setting items displayed on the area 27A. Whenthe “OK” button B65 is touched (S554: YES), the controller 11 at S556executes the copying processing according to the changed set values.

<Effects>

In the MFP 1 as explained above, the preset-setting-group icon being inthe selected state is displayed on the central area L1 in the selectedstate manner (e.g., at S430, S432, S456, S480, S500, and S520), allowingthe user to recognize the preset-setting-group icon currently selected.Also, when one preset-setting-group icon is displayed on the centralarea L1, and the user selects any of the other preset-setting-groupicons, the controller 11 moves the selected preset-setting-group icon tothe central area L1 (e.g., at S454, S468, S470, S494, S496, and S510)and stores information indicating the selected preset-setting-groupicon, e.g., an icon ID, into the RAM 43 as new information indicatingthe preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state, and thecontroller 11 displays the preset-setting-group icon in the selectedstate manner (e.g., at S456, S480, S500, and S520). Thus, the area(i.e., the area 25B in FIG. 10 in the above-described embodiment) forreceiving the operation of the user to select any of thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state and thepreset-setting-group icons being in the non-selected state can be usedto have the user recognize the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state. This results in effective use of the display screen whencompared to a design in which the information indicating that thepreset-setting-group icon is in the selected state is separatelydisplayed on another area.

In the above-described MFP 1, the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state is displayed such that its background color is changed tothe specific color (i.e., blue) at S430 and the icon name is attached tothe preset-setting-group icon at S432. This makes it easier for the userto recognize the preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state.

In the above-described MFP 1, the controller 11 moves each of thepreset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B in a row, so thatany of the preset-setting-group icons is positioned to the central areaL1. As a result, the user only needs to find the preset-setting-groupicon the user wants to move to the central area L1, from among thepreset-setting-group icons arranged in a row, allowing the user toselect the preset-setting-group icon with a simple operation.

In the above-described MFP 1, the preset-setting-group icons being inthe non-selected state are displayed on the opposite sides of thecentral area L1, i.e., the left neighborhood L2 and the rightneighborhood L3. As a result, the user only needs to find thepreset-setting-group icon the user wants to move to the central area L1,from among the preset-setting-group icons displayed on the leftneighborhood L2 and the right neighborhood L3, allowing the user toselect the preset-setting-group icon with a simple operation.

In the above-described MFP 1, all the preset-setting-group icons beingmoved are displayed in the non-selected state manner (e.g., at S450,S460, S490, and S509) during the scroll display processing for movingthe preset-setting-group icons. This configuration results in reductionin a load placed on the controller 11 during the image processing formoving the preset-setting-group icons.

In the above-described MFP 1, the preset-setting-group icon being in theselected state is moved from the central area L1 to the retractedposition L4 at S548 in FIG. 12 in response to the touch on the “DetailedSettings” button B63 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This makes it possible toform the space on the central portion of the display screen fordisplaying the list of the setting items and the set values.

In the above-described MFP 1, one of only the preset-setting-group iconseach allowed to be changed to the selected state in the detectedapparatus state of the MFP 1 can be changed to the selected state (e.g.,at S474 and S514). This prevents the user from selecting thepreset-setting-group icon associated with an unusable function.

In the above-described MFP 1, when the preset-setting-group icons arescrolled in the one direction, the controller 11 prevents thepreset-setting-group icons having moved past the central area L1 in theone direction from being displayed on the central area L1 (e.g., at S472and S512). This operation does not cause a scroll in which thepreset-setting-group icon having moved past the central area L1 moves ina direction opposite the one direction so as to be returned to thecentral area L1, whereby the controller 11 can display the scrollnaturally.

While the embodiment of the present invention has been described above,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the detailsof the illustrated embodiment, but may be embodied with various changesand modifications, which may occur to those skilled in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

<Modifications>

The sensors for detecting the apparatus state of the MFP 1 are notlimited to the sheet-size detection sensor 13A and the ink amount sensor13B, and various types of sensors may be used. For example, sensors fordetecting a paper jam and an open state of a cover may be used.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the “Copy Start” buttonB61, the “Detailed Settings” button B63, the “OK” button B65, the leftscroll button B71, and the right scroll button B72 are displayed on theliquid crystal display 16A, and the input operations thereon arereceived by the touch panel portion 16C. Nevertheless, some or all ofthe buttons may be constituted by an input device that differs from thetouch panel portion 16C (e.g., an input device with hard buttons).

In the above-described embodiment, as one example of the display of thethree preset-setting-group icons on the area 25B, thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state is displayed onthe central area L1, and the preset-setting-group icons being in thenon-selected state are displayed on the right neighborhood L3 and theleft neighborhood L2 such that these three icons are arranged in a rowin a horizontal direction. Nevertheless, a different configuration maybe employed as long as the preset-setting-group icon being in thenon-selected state is displayed on an area that differs from an area onwhich the preset-setting-group icon being in the selected state isdisplayed. For example, the display screen may be designed such that thepreset-setting-group icons are arranged in a row in a verticaldirection, and the preset-setting-group icon being in the selected stateis displayed on a central area while the preset-setting-group iconsbeing in the non-selected state are displayed on an upper neighborhoodand a lower neighborhood. Also, the preset-setting-group icons may bedisplayed so as to be arranged in a row along a curve (e.g., a circle oran arc).

While three preset-setting-group icons are displayed on the area 25B inthe above-described embodiment, the number of preset-setting-group iconsdisplayed on the area 25B is not limited to three and may be any numberas long as the number is greater than two. In a case where the number ofpreset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B is five and thesefive preset-setting-group icons are arranged in a row, thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state is displayed on acentral portion of the area 25B, and the other four preset-setting-groupicons being in the non-selected state are displayed on the area 25Bother than its central portion, for example. In a case where the numberof preset-setting-group icons displayed on the area 25B is four andthese four preset-setting-group icons are arranged in a row, thepreset-setting-group icon being in the selected state is displayed onthe area 25B other than its end portions, and the other threepreset-setting-group icons being in the non-selected state are displayedon portions of the area 25B which include its end portions and whichdiffers from its portion on which the preset-setting-group icon being inthe selected state is displayed, for example. In the case where thedisplay screen is designed in such a manner, the fourpreset-setting-group icons can be arranged in a row in the order of theicon in the non-selected state, the icon in the selected state, the iconin the non-selected state, and the icon in the non-selected state oralternatively in the order of the icon in the non-selected state, theicon in the non-selected state, the icon in the selected state, and theicon in the non-selected state.

While the touch panel portion 16C is of the well-known type such as anelectrostatic capacitance type in the above-described embodiment, thetouch panel portion 16C may be of an electromagnetic induction type, aninfrared type, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) type, or a resistive filmtype, for example.

While the liquid crystal display 16A and the internally illuminateddisplay 16B share the single touch panel portion 16C in theabove-described embodiment, different touch panel portions may beseparately provided for the liquid crystal display 16A and theinternally illuminated display 16B. In this design, these separate touchpanel portions may be of the same type or different types. For example,this MFP 1 may be configured such that one of the touch panel portionsis of a type suitable for an operation with a finger, and the other ofthe touch panel portions is of a type suitable for an operation with apassive object such as the stylus. Also, this MFP 1 may be configuredsuch that one of the touch panel portions is of a type with a highresolution, and the other of the touch panel portions is of a type witha low resolution and a low cost.

In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display 16A as adisplay device the touch panel portion 16C as an input device areoverlaid with each other to constitute the operation panel unit 16having a display function and an input function. Nevertheless, a singledevice having the display function and the input function may beemployed for the operation panel 16.

In the above-described embodiment, the controller 11 and the operationpanel 16 of the MFP 1 are configured to perform the various displays andreceive the various inputs. Nevertheless, in a case where the MFP 1 andan information processing device such as a personal computer (PC) and asmartphone are coupled to each other, a controller, a display portion,and an input portion of the information processing device can be used toperform the various displays and receive the various inputs.

Specifically, a program is installed on the information processingdevice for causing the controller of the information processing devicecoupled to the MFP 1 to execute the same processings as indicated in theflow charts shown in FIGS. 3-8, and the controller of the informationprocessing device executes a processing according to the program. As aresult, the display portion and the input portion of the informationprocessing device perform the various displays and receive the variousinputs, for example, each of the screens shown in FIGS. 9-12 isdisplayed on the display portion of the information processing device.

It should be understood that while there has been explained the changesof the settings for the copying function in the above-describedembodiment, changes of the settings for another function can also beperformed using a user interface that is similar to that used in theabove-described embodiment.

While there has been explained the MFP 1 having the facsimile function,the scanning function, the copying function, and so on in theabove-described embodiment, the present invention is applicable to aprinter, an image scanner, a facsimile machine, and other devices eachhaving a single function. Also in a case where the informationprocessing device such as the personal computer (PC) and the smartphoneare used as the display portion and the input portion, the informationprocessing device can control such single-function devices. In thiscase, the information processing device utilizes the program to executethe same processings as indicated in the flow charts shown in FIGS. 3-8to perform the displays and inputs for the single-function devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus, comprising: astorage device; a display device; a touch-input sensing device; and acontroller configured to execute: a display control processing in which:the controller controls the display device to display a plurality ofselection images arranged each for receiving a selecting operation, theplurality of selection images comprising a selected state selectionimage being in a selected state and at least one non-selected stateselection image being in a non-selected state different from theselected state; the selected state selection image is displayed at afirst position on the display device in a selected state mannerindicating the selected state and the at least one non-selected stateselection image is displayed at a second position in a non-selectedstate manner indicating the non-selected state and different from theselected state manner, and an image-formation control processing inwhich the controller causes image formation according to informationassociated with the selected state selection image, when the touch-inputsensing device receives an operation for performing image formation, thecontroller being configured to execute the display control processing inwhich: when the selected state selection image is displayed in theselected state manner: in response to reception of a drag operation bythe touch-input sensing device, the controller controls the displaydevice to display the selected state selection image in the non-selectedstate manner and to scroll all the selection images that are beingdisplayed in the non-selected state manner; and in response to receptionof a display operation that is different from the drag operation by thetouch-input sensing device, the controller controls the display deviceto display an image indicating a detail of the information that isinformation for executing image formation associated with the selectedstate selection image, the image indicating the detail of theinformation being not displayed on the display device based on thedisplay operation while all the selection images are being scrolled inthe non-selected state manner.
 2. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to executethe display control processing in which the controller selects oneselection image, as a new selected state selection image, among theselection images that have been being scrolled in the non-selected statemanner when a sensing of the drag operation by the touch-input sensingdevice is ended.
 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the controller is configured to execute the display controlprocessing in which the controller controls the display device todisplay (i) the new selected state selection image in the selected statemanner and (ii) at least one non-selected state selection image, whichare not selected among the selection images, in the non-selected statemanner.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe controller is configured to execute the display control processingin which the controller controls the display device to display (i) thenew selected state selection image in the selected manner and (ii) animage indicating a detail of the information that is information forexecuting image formation associated with the new selected stateselection image, when the touch-input sensing device receives thedisplay operation in a state in which at least one non-selected stateselection image, which are not selected among the selection images, aredisplayed in the non-selected state manner.
 5. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller receives theoperation for performing image formation in response to a touch of theinput object on an image-formation-instruction selection image which isa selection image for receiving the operation for performing imageformation; and wherein the controller is configured to execute thedisplay control processing in which the controller controls the displaydevice to display the image-formation-instruction selection image withthe selection images.
 6. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute the displaycontrol processing in which the controller controls the display deviceto display a selection image being in the selected state, in theselected state manner which is emphasized in comparison with thenon-selected state selection image.
 7. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to executethe display control processing in which the controller controls thedisplay device to display a selection image being in the selected state,in the selected state manner in which a color indicating the selectedstate is provided for the selection image.
 8. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured toexecute the display control processing in which the controller controlsthe display device to display a selection image being in the selectedstate, in the selected state manner in which an image indicating theselected state is provided for the selection image.
 9. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller isconfigured to execute the display control processing in which thecontroller controls the display device to display a selection imagebeing in the selected state, in the selected state manner in which theselection image is surrounded by the image indicating the selectedstate.
 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to execute the display control processingin which the controller controls the display device to display theselection images such that the selected state selection image at thefirst position and the at least one non-selected state selection imageare arranged in a row.
 11. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute an informationdisplay control processing in which: when an instruction for displayingan image indicating particular information is received, the controllermoves the selected state selection image from the first position to aposition nearer to a periphery of a display screen of the display devicethan the first position; and the controller controls the display deviceto display the image indicating the particular information on an areacomprising the first position.
 12. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute:an image-formation setting screen display processing in which when aninstruction for displaying an image-formation setting screen for settingan image-formation parameter is received, the controller controls thedisplay device to display the image-formation setting screen; animage-formation parameter storing processing in which an instruction forsetting the image-formation parameter is received after theimage-formation setting screen is displayed in the image-formationsetting screen display processing, the controller stores theimage-formation parameter based on the received instruction, into thestorage device; and the image-formation control processing in which whenan operation on an instruction button for receiving the instruction forperforming image formation is received in the state in which theselection images are being displayed on the display device by thedisplay control processing, the controller causes image formation basedon the image-formation parameter stored in advance in theimage-formation parameter storing processing.
 13. The image processingapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the controller is configured toexecute the display control processing in which the controller controlsthe display device to display, with the selection images, animage-formation-setting selection image for receiving the instructionfor displaying the image-formation setting screen.
 14. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formationof the image to be output is printing of the image in the imageprocessing apparatus.
 15. A non-transitory storage medium storing aplurality of instructions executable by a processor of an imageprocessing apparatus, the image processing apparatus comprising: astorage device; a display device; and a touch-input sensing device, theplurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing theimage processing apparatus to execute: a display control processing inwhich: the image processing apparatus controls the display device todisplay a plurality of selection images arranged each for receiving aselecting operation, the plurality of selection images comprising aselected state selection image being in a selected state and at leastone non-selected state selection image being in a non-selected statedifferent from the selected state; the selected state selection image isdisplayed at a first position on the display device in a selected statemanner indicating the selected state and the at least one non-selectedstate selection image is displayed at a second position in anon-selected state manner indicating the non-selected state anddifferent from the selected state manner, and an image-formation controlprocessing in which the image processing apparatus causes imageformation according to information associated with the selected stateselection image, when touch-input sensing device receives an operationfor performing image formation, the plurality of instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, causing the image processing apparatus toexecute the display control processing in which: when the selected stateselection image is displayed in the selected state manner: in responseto reception of a drag operation by the touch-input sensing device, theimage processing apparatus controls the display device to display theselected state selection image in the non-selected state manner and toscroll all the selection images that are being displayed in thenon-selected state manner; and in response to reception of a displayoperation that is different from the drag operation by the touch-inputsensing device, the image processing apparatus controls the displaydevice to display an image indicating a detail of the information thatis information for executing image formation associated with theselected state selection image, the image indicating the detail of theinformation being not displayed on the display device while all theselection images are being scrolled in the non-selected state manner.16. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 15, wherein theimage formation of the image to be output is printing of the image inthe image processing apparatus.